Entertainment
WWE Retribution unmasked: T-Bar, Slapjack, Reckoning and Mace turn on Mustafa Ali
After a rollercoaster run, WWE faction RETRIBUTION has turned on its leader Mustafa Ali.
The group has had its ups and downs with inconsistent presentation and success in-ring, and after a few weeks of Ali berating the five members, they’ve finally had enough.
On the WWE Fastlane Kickoff, Reckoning first turned her back on the former Cruiserweight Champion before Slapjack did the same.
To make the moment all the more definitive, T-Bar and Mace laid out Ali with a huge double chokeslam, seemingly bringing an end to the faction.
Everyone involved is too talented not to be successes in despite of this run, so who are the superstars behind the masks and what have they done before RETRIBUTION?
The company has alluded to their respective previous runs in NXT before, so here’s a rundown of the masked members and their history in WWE.
WWE’s RETRIBUTION: T-Bar unmasked – Dominik Dijakovic
T-Bar’s history with current Raw superstar Keith Lee has been referenced plenty of times.
The two shared the ring and enjoyed some amazing battles together in NXT during his time as Dominik Dijakovic.
Although he’s yet to capture gold in WWE, he won Ring of Honor’s Top Prospect Tournament in 2015, and last year he finished 104 in the PWI 500.
WWE’s RETRIBUTION: Reckoning unmasked – Mia Yim
Another former RETRIBUTION member with ties to Keith Lee, Reckoning (Mia Yim) is actually in a relationship with the former NXT Champion in real life, and they recently got engaged.
She has made waves in WWE’s black and gold brand, and was previously a star on the independent scene – and with IMPACT Wrestling – before making the jump to Triple H’s brand in 2018.
She was also named in the BBC’s 100 Women in 2016, as the broadcaster wrote at the time: ‘College graduate specialising in IT security and a professional wrestler for TNA Impact Wrestling. She is a survivor of domestic violence.’
WWE’s RETRIBUTION: Mace unmasked – Dio Maddin
A formidable figure, the man behind Mace’s mask is a former NFL star with massive upside for WWE.
Trained by Hall of Famer Booker T in his Reality of Wrestling promotion, Dio Maddin’s career in the big leagues has been stop-start so far.
Before RETRIBUTION, his biggest moment came from the commentary desk as he stood up to – and was beaten down by – Brock Lesnar.
WWE’s RETRIBUTION: Slapjack unmasked – Shane Thorne
Australian wrestler Shane Thorne – who has appeared under the Slapjack mask in RETRIBUTION – has been with WWE since signing with NXT in 2016.
As part of TM-61, he didn’t win gold but the team impressed against the likes of Street Profits and current champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.
Like the rest of his stablemates, Thorne – or Slapjack – has a bright future ahead of him.
Whether that will be harnessed remains to be seen, but the potential is there for all to see.
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